Training and Information for Beginner's
Training times
Monday
8:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.
Off Skates / Free Skate (all levels, all gender)
Reudnitz
Wednesday
6:45 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
Advanced and FLINTA*-Beginners Skate Training
Gohlis
Friday
5:15 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Advanced Skate Training (FLINTA*)/
FLINTA*-Beginners Free Skate
Gohlis
Infos for Beginner's
Do you want to make Roller Derby your new favorite hobby?
Perfect, because it’s starting again!Twice a year, a new beginner’s course (also Newbie course) starts. In it, you’ll learn the necessary skating basics (riding skills, braking, turns, falling, riding on one foot, jumping), as well as derby-specific skills (blocking, whips & checks, building tripods and walls, etc.) and familiarize yourself with the rules (theory).
The course is FLINTA*-only. As a cis-man, you can also contact us, there are numerous other positions in derby besides being on the track.
The course lasts 18 weeks (about 6 months) and currently takes place every Wednesday from 18:45 – 20:15 in Gohlis. If you’re interested in our Newbie course, write an email to riotrocketz[at]rotersternleipzig.de (please not to the RSL office!) or sign up directly using the following link:
Equipment for Beginner's
As a full-contact sport, Roller Derby requires good protective equipment. What you need to get started:
- Roller skates (Quad Skates) – your new best friends
- A stylish helmet – protection can look so cool!
- Joint protectors – for knees, elbows, and wrists (because style and safety go hand in hand)Mouth/teeth guard – for your brightest smile even after the toughest jam
Questions about rental equipment? Here are the answers!
What equipment do we rent out?
We rent out skates and pads for the duration of the course.
What equipment do we not rent out?
We do not rent out helmets and mouth/teeth protection for safety and hygiene reasons.
Why do we rent out equipment?
We rent out equipment because roller derby can be expensive, and we want everyone to be able to participate!
Where do we get the equipment that we rent out?
The equipment was donated by team members or purchased with donations from games. Solidarity rocks!
What happens if my size is not available in the rental equipment?
You will be placed on a waiting list, and we will inform you as soon as something in your size becomes available.
How do I secure a spot in the newbie course?
Those who bring their own equipment have a guaranteed spot in the course!
Be fair – only borrow what you really need!
You want to buy equipment? Here are a few tips:
There are many online shops that offer beginner packages, where you can buy everything together at a lower price.
Here are a few important notes about the individual equipment parts.
Skates
Roller derby is played with roller skates specifically designed for speed and agility (quad skates). Avoid buying recreational or outdoor skates; they may seem like the cheapest option at the moment, but you won’t be able to perform some of the cool roller derby skills we want to teach you with them.
THE MOST IMPORTANT:
Quad Skates
Wheels: When you buy derby skates, they usually come with wheels made for indoor use, with a hardness rating of 93A to 95A. This hardness is suitable for beginners and for the floor we skate on during our training sessions. We recommend keeping these for the duration of the newbie course.
Toe Stops (Brakes): WARNING! Beginner skates usually come with black toe stops. Due to the gym floor, we are not allowed to skate with black toe stops (they leave scuff marks), but light or colored toe stops are fine. Recommended models: Powerdyne Jupiter, Powerdyne Moonwalk, Bionic Bigfoot, Gumball ‘15… Ask directly at the skate shop to ensure that the toe stop you choose fits your plate.
Riedell R3, Riedell Dart, and Chaya Ruby are the most common beginner models. They are affordable (€120-150) and comfortable. They usually last about 2 years or longer if you take good care of them, but by that time, you might want to invest in a better, slightly more expensive model.
Helmet
A helmet should sit about 2.5 cm above your eyebrows at the front edge and stay on your head when you bend forward, even with the chin strap open. The chin strap should fit snugly, allowing 1-2 fingers to fit between the strap and your chin, and the Y-parts should sit just below your earlobes. It’s worth measuring your head circumference before buying a helmet. Some helmets allow for precise size adjustment with a dial at the back (this minimal extra investment is worth it for a good fit). The helmet should not move sideways when you shake your head.
Optionally, you can also buy a helmet with a visor or a half visor. It is important that the visor is not damaged and has no cracks or sharp edges. It must be clear and ideally securely screwed in and not movable. A mesh face guard is not allowed.
THE MOST IMPORTANT:
- Good snug fit without pressing
- Visor allowed
- Mesh face guard not allowed
Mouthguard
With a mouthguard, it is important that it fits snugly and stays in place when you open your mouth. It must be approved for contact sports and cover either all the teeth of the upper or lower jaw. Some mouthguards may not fit properly, which can lead to a gag reflex.
THE MOST IMPORTANT:
- Good snug fit without pressing, should not fall out with an open mouth
- Ideally allows for speaking
- Must cover all teeth of one jaw
- Should not trigger a gag reflex
Joint Pads
Knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards: The pads must fit snugly and should not easily slide down. The plastic hard shells should be intact and free of cracks or sharp edges. The Velcro straps must hold securely, and long straps should be safely tucked away. It is necessary for all three types of pads to have a plastic hard shell. For wrist guards, at least one should be on the palm side, while one on the back of the hand is optional. Just like with the toe stops, black caps also leave scuff marks on the gym floor: choose either pads with white caps or cover your black caps with fabric. Some venues also require that white caps be covered with fabric. Protective gear can quickly become expensive, especially if you buy everything individually. However, there are ready-made sets that include all the pads and are generally cheaper, such as the TSG Protection Set. The following sets are not recommended: Triple 8 Protection Set, Powerslide Standard Protection Set.
Important for knee pads:
- Thin padding (about 1-2 cm) offers better mobility (suitable for beginners)
- Thick padding (about 4 cm) prevents pain and bruising (recommended from the start for individuals with knee problems)
- We recommend the TSG Force III or similar after the newbie course
You are generally free to wear additional protective gear, such as padded shorts, shin guards, knee or ankle supports, hard shell tops, hard shell inserts for bras, tailbone pads, custom nose guards, and chin guards, as long as they are safe and do not pose a hazard to other skaters or individuals.
THE MOST IMPORTANT:
- Good snug fit without pressing, should not slip
- No long and/or loose hanging straps
- Hard shell on the inside of the wrist guards (at least)
- Good knee pads are worth it; trying them on is highly recommended
To ensure that your equipment fits, you can use this recommendation:
WFTDA Guide for Equipment Check [Link PDF Download]
Where can I buy equipment?
In Leipzig:
Rolldorado: Lützner Str. 131, 04179 Leipzig (discount possible, just ask us) – The owner plays roller derby herself and can give you great advice! https://www.rolldorado.de/
Titus (pads and helmets)
Online Shops:
- Our sponsor Roller Derby House (discount possible, just ask us)
- Sucker Punch Skate Shop
- Decathlon (you can find Chaya Ruby skates and helmets there)
Second Hand:
- Second-hand market on Facebook
- Classified ads